HAPPINESS
Polls have been conducted asking people what they want out of life, and the number one response was “happiness.” There are some Christians who believe that we should always walk around with a smile on our faces, and some believe we should always be sad. The Bible says of Christ that He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), but He also “rejoiced” (Luke 10:21). The same apostle Paul, who was moved of the Holy Spirit to write “rejoice in the Lord,” also said he had anguish of heart and many tears (Acts 20:19, 31; 2 Corinthians 2:4).
All too often, major problems have taken away joy from a believer’s life. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our happiness in life is not from having all of our problems taken away, but from solving them as Jesus Christ would have us to (see JOY; see HOPE; see WORRY; see DISAPPOINTMENT).
HARD TIMES
It is good that this follows “HAPPINESS,” because there are certain problems that can knock a person to the ground, such as death in the family or losing one’s job. Some days are worse than others. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Ephesians 6:13–14). Notice this passage uses the word “stand” three times: “withstand,” “to stand,” and “Stand therefore.” Do not give up. It has been said, “You can tell the measure of a man by what it takes to stop him.”
Thank God earth is not hell, but it is not heaven either, so do not expect it to be. This place has been cursed ever since Genesis 3:17, and this curse will not be removed until Revelations 22:2–3. A friend of mine said, “This being human is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Why should I be of good cheer because Jesus Christ overcame this world? Because if we follow his ways, when we have a problem, then we also will overcome as He did.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse does not say all things are good; some things are very bad. Nor does it say that it will work together for good for all people, but to those who love God. If you become bitter and refuse God’s help, it could ruin your life. If you are hurting, cry out to God. “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses” (Psalm 107:6; it would be good to read all of Psalm 107). Take your problem and cry out to God for His help.
See video by author, Overcoming Problems,
http://www.truechristianshortstoriesfreebygmmatheny.com/overcoming-problems-video.html.
(See also DISAPPOINTMENT.)
Polls have been conducted asking people what they want out of life, and the number one response was “happiness.” There are some Christians who believe that we should always walk around with a smile on our faces, and some believe we should always be sad. The Bible says of Christ that He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), but He also “rejoiced” (Luke 10:21). The same apostle Paul, who was moved of the Holy Spirit to write “rejoice in the Lord,” also said he had anguish of heart and many tears (Acts 20:19, 31; 2 Corinthians 2:4).
All too often, major problems have taken away joy from a believer’s life. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our happiness in life is not from having all of our problems taken away, but from solving them as Jesus Christ would have us to (see JOY; see HOPE; see WORRY; see DISAPPOINTMENT).
HARD TIMES
It is good that this follows “HAPPINESS,” because there are certain problems that can knock a person to the ground, such as death in the family or losing one’s job. Some days are worse than others. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Ephesians 6:13–14). Notice this passage uses the word “stand” three times: “withstand,” “to stand,” and “Stand therefore.” Do not give up. It has been said, “You can tell the measure of a man by what it takes to stop him.”
Thank God earth is not hell, but it is not heaven either, so do not expect it to be. This place has been cursed ever since Genesis 3:17, and this curse will not be removed until Revelations 22:2–3. A friend of mine said, “This being human is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Why should I be of good cheer because Jesus Christ overcame this world? Because if we follow his ways, when we have a problem, then we also will overcome as He did.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse does not say all things are good; some things are very bad. Nor does it say that it will work together for good for all people, but to those who love God. If you become bitter and refuse God’s help, it could ruin your life. If you are hurting, cry out to God. “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses” (Psalm 107:6; it would be good to read all of Psalm 107). Take your problem and cry out to God for His help.
See video by author, Overcoming Problems,
http://www.truechristianshortstoriesfreebygmmatheny.com/overcoming-problems-video.html.
(See also DISAPPOINTMENT.)